It is often said that you cannot lead if you cannot communicate. And that is true. But, as Bjorn Edlund points out, it is also true that you cannot communicate with impact unless you can lead. He asks: what is communications leadership, what are the traits of a successful communications leader? Is the function different to how its leaders need to behave in order to galvanize their teams, as well as their C suite colleagues? Bjorn Edlund shares experiences from nearly 20 years as Chief Communications Officer in three multinational corporations, working for 11 CEOs through external and self-created crises and deep corporate transformations.

Bjorn founded Edlund Consulting, a network of expert corporate relations and social responsibility consultancies specializing in analysis of stakeholder, government and community opinion. He became a business communicator in 1989 after a 12-year career as a news agency reporter, bureau chief and regional news editor with UPI and Reuters in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. He is a visiting fellow at Henley Business School, a trustee of the Institute of Human Rights and Business, and a former trustee of IPR.

Foundation of Liberty: Sir Robert Worcester, KBE, founder of MORI (Market & Opinion Research), well known pollster, pioneer of employee research and now chair of Magna Carta 800thAnniversary

One of the world’s most famous documents, Magna Carta is widely regarded as a potent symbol of the freedom of the individual. 2015 is the 800th anniversary of its sealing at Runnymede and at that iconic place on June 15 HM the Queen will be invited to sign a reaffirmation of its principles as part of the yearlong celebrations. Sir Robert explains why, as an American, on his first visit to England he went to gaze in awe at a copy of Magna Carta. He will look at the Charter’s genesis and its enduring importance and influence through subsequent centuries across the globe as part of his own inspiration to listen to the voices of the people.

Sir Robert Milton Worcester, KBE, DL, founder of MORIis a well-known figure in British public opinion research and political circles. A native of Kansas, Sir Robert joined the research field with Opinion Research International in Princeton and came to the UK in 1969 withthree great research passions: corporate image, financial and employee. He says: “I felt that that employee surveys had potential to do good in the workplace – it was an opportunity for employees to come up with ideas and suggestions and to tell the boss what they really thought – sometimes for the first time.”